GB2095614A

GB2095614A - Compaction press

Info

Publication number: GB2095614A
Application number: GB8207644A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SWINNEY ENG; Swinney Engineering Ltd
Current assignee: SWINNEY ENG; Swinney Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 1981-03-31
Filing date: 1982-03-16
Publication date: 1982-10-06

Abstract

A compaction press (1), particularly for compacting refuse within a refuse transporting vehicle (4), has a frame having side sections (2) and an interconnecting upper section (3) defining a compaction area large enough to receive such a refuse transporting vehicle, a pressure plate (8), a hydraulic cylinder assembly (10) pivotally connected to the frame, a ram assembly (9, 16) connected to the pressure plate and operative to move the pressure plate so as to compact refuse with the vehicle, and guide means (15, 17) secured to the frame which guide the ram assembly (9, 16) during movement. The guide means includes a tubular guide member (15) and a plurality of bearing rollers (17) or bearing pads. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Compaction press This invention relates to a compaction press primarily for compacting refuse in a refuse transporting vehicle.

Compaction presses per se are well known. For example U.K. Patent Specification No. 543717 discloses a baling press for compacting material in a press box in which a compaction platen is axially movable by means of interengagement of gearing with two spaced non-rotatable screws fixed to the platen.

In another baling press disclosed in U.K. Patent Specification No. 1089963 a similar arrangement is disclosed except that the compaction platen is axially movable by means of a double-acting pneumatic cylinder the ram of which is secured to the centre of the platen: the axial movement being guided by lateral guide rods which are attached to the compaction platen one on each side of the ram.

More recently, in U.K. Patent Specification No.

1582124, there is disclosed a compaction apparatus for compacting household refuse for transport comprising a vertical ram pivotally connected to the centre of a compacting thrust plate and guided during axial movement by a pair of vertical guides secured to the thrust plate one on each side of the ram.

An objection of the present invention is to provide a compaction press in which the guiding mechanism is improved.

According to the present invention there is provided a compaction press for compacting material comprising a frame defining a compaction area, a pressure member, a ram assembly connected to the pressure member and operative to move the pressure member with the compaction area axially of the ram assembly whereby material within the compaction area may be compacted, and guide means for guiding the ram assembly during said axial movement, the guide means being secured to the frame and including bearing means acting upon the ram assembly at positions spaced axially thereof.

Preferably the ram assembly comprises an extendable and retractable ram rod of a piston cylinder assembly, and a tubular guide surface surrounding the ram rod, the bearing means acting upon the tubular guide surface.

Suitably the guide means is tubular and surrounds the tubular guide surface. The bearing means may be bearing rollers or bearing pads secured to the guide means and acting upon the ram assembly at a plurality of discrete positions spaced axially thereof.

In the preferred embodiment the piston cylinder assembly is supported on the frame by a spherical bearing or gimbals at one or both ends to avoid any lateral stress on the ram assembly.

The present invention is primarily designed for compaction of refuse in a refuse transporting vehicle and therefore in accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention there is provided a compaction press for compacting refuse within a refuse transporting vehicle comprising a frame having side sections and an interconnecting upper section defining a compaction area large enough for a refuse transporting vehicle to be accommodated therein, a pressure plate, a pressure cylinder assembly pivotally connected to the frame, a ram assembly connected to the pressure plate and operative on actuation of the pressure cylinder assembly to move the pressure plate axially of the ram assembly so as to compact refuse within a refuse transporting vehicle positioned below the pressure plate, and guide means for guiding the ram assembly during said axial movement, the guide means being secured to the frame and including bearing elements acting upon the ram assembly at a plurality of positions spaced axially thereof.

Suitably the pressure cylinder assembly is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder operative by means of an electric motor supported on the frame.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a compaction press in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a rear elevation on A-A in figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view of the support structure on B-B in figure 1; Figure 4 is a plan view with the supporting base omitted for clarity; Figure 5 illustrates on a larger scale the guide means of the embodiment of figures 1 to 4; and Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment including alternative guide means.

In figures 1 to 5 of the drawings a compaction press 1 comprises side frame sections 2 and an upper connecting frame section 3. The sections 2 and 3 are so spaced and arranged relative to one another that together they define an opening of sufficient size to receive a refuse transporting vehicle 4 as shown in dotted lines in figure 2.

The compaction press 1 suitably is connected to a supporting base 5 which includes two parallel guide tracks 6 for the wheels of the refuse transporting vehicle 4 thereby ensuring that a vehicle is always correctly positioned between the side frame sections 2. At the ends of each tracl < 6 are ramp portions 7 which facilitate movement of the vehicle 4 through the compaction press.

The compaction means of the press 1 comprises a pressure plate 8 the centre of which is connected rigidly to the head of a ram rod 9.

The ram rod 9 is movable axially by means of a double-acting hydraulic cylinder assembly 10 which is supplied with hydraulic fluid, for extension or retraction of the ram rod, through respective hydraulic fluid supply pipes 11 and 12: a reservoir for hydraulic fluid being provided by a tank 13 connected to the upper frame section 3.

In view of the size and extent of movement of the pressure plate 8 (see travel indication in figure 2), a ram guide structure 14 is provided to guide the ram rod 9 during axial movement. The ram guide structure 14 (see figure 5 in particular) comprises, an outer tubular guide member 1 5 of rectangular or square cross-section and fixed to the upper connecting frame section 3, and an inner tubular guide surface 16 of rectangular or square cross-section fixed to the pressure plate 8 and surrounding the ram rod 9 to form a ram assembly therewith. Secured to the outer tubular guide member 1 5 and positioned between the guide member 1 5 and the inner tubular guide surface 16 are a plurality of bearing elements 1 7 in the form of rollers fixed to the guide members 15.

In order to avoid any potential sideways bending stress on the ram rod 9 during compaction the hydraulic cylinder assembly 10 is supported at the top of the compaction press by a spherical bearing or gimbals 1 8. Thus, any actual movement is absorbed by the bearing rollers 1 7.

The hydraulic cylinder assembly 10 may be supported by a spherical bearing or gimbals 1 8 at its upper end as shown, or alternatively at its lower end or at both ends.

The necessary power to operate the hydraulic cylinder assembly 10 is provided by an electric motor assembly 19 suitably mounted upon the upper connected frame 3. The motor assembly 1 9 may be operated by controls (not shown) positioned, for example, on one of the side frame sections 2. Figures 2 and 4 of the drawings also illustrate a ladder 20 secured to one of the frame sections 2 to enable an operator to climb up onto the compaction unit as may be necessary.

In figure 6 an alternative guide means is disclosed. In that figure the ram guide structure 24 comprises, an outer tubular guide member 25 of rectangular or square cross-section and fixed to the upper connecting frame-section 3, and an inner tubular guide surface 26 of rectangular cross-section fixed to the pressure plate 8 and surrounding the ram rod 9. Secured to the outer tubular guide member 25 and positioned between the guide member 25 and the inner guide surface 26 are a plurality of adjustable wear pads 27 with locking plates. The wear pads 27 are preferably of bronze material and may be replaced as required.

Thus, in the second embodiment, any movement of the hydraulic cylinder assembly 10 about gimbals 18 is absorbed by the wear pads 27.

In use the ram rod 9 is fully retracted and then a refuse transporting vehicle 4 full of refuse is driven beneath the pressure plate 8 as shown in dotted lines in figure 2. Once the vehicle is positioned beneath the pressure plate 8 the ram rod 9 is extended so that the pressure plate 8 applies a pressure to the refuse in the vehicle e.g.: 8 to 12 ton pressure depending upon the strength of the vehicle. In order to completely compress the refuse load it may be necessary to move the vehicle relative to the ram rod 9, after retraction of the ram rod, so as to locate a different part of the load beneath the pressure plate 8. By compacting the load in the vehicle 4 the load carried by the vehicle can be increased considerably thus saving expense. During compaction the ram rod 9 is guided by the ram guide structure 14 or 24.

Although the unit has been described with a hydraulically operated ram rod the pressure plate 8 may be movable by any other suitable means e.g.: pneumatic.

The hydraulic unit is suitably powered by a 1 5 HP 440 volt motor 1 9 with pump and pressure relief valve in tandem. As seen from the drawing the motor 1 9 is mounted on the upper connection frame section 3 together with the 100 gallon hydraulic oil tank 13.

Preferably, although not shown in the drawing, the press 1 includes two sets of traffic lights operated by limit switches. One set controls the position of the vehicle relative to the pressure plate 8 and the hydraulic circuit is so arranged that the pressure plate cannot descend except within the open area of the back of the vehicle thereby protecting the cab. The second set indicate red to warn the vehicle driver not to move until the pressure plate is fully retracted. Each set of limit switches is in duplicate so that a fault on one switch cannot allow the machine to defeat the interlock.

Claims

1. A compaction press for compacting material comprising a frame defining a compaction area, a pressure member, a ram assembly connected to the pressure member and operative to move the pressure member within the compaction area axially of the ram assembly whereby material within the compaction area may be compacted, and guide means for guiding the ram assembly during said axial movement, the guide means being secured to the frame and including bearing means acting upon the ram assembly at positions spaced axially thereof.

2. A compaction press according to claim 1 wherein the ram assembly comprises an extendable and retractable ram rod of a piston/cylinder assembly, and a tubular guide surface surrounding the ram rod, the bearing means acting upon the tubular guide surface.

3. A compaction press according to claim 2 wherein the guide means is tubular and surrounds the tubular guide surface.

4. A compaction press according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the bearing means comprises a plurality of bearing rollers secured to the guide means and acting upon the ram assembly at a plurality of discrete positions spaced axially thereof.

5. A compaction press according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the bearing means comprises a plurality of replaceable bearing pads secured to the guide means.

6. A compaction press according to claim 5 wherein the bearing pads act upon the ram assembly at a plurality of discrete positions spaced axially thereof.

7. A compaction press according to claim 1 wherein the piston/cylinder assembly is supported on the frame by pivotal means to accommodate lateral stress on the ram assembly.

8. A compaction press for compacting refuse within a refuse transporting vehicle comprising a frame having side sections and an interconnecting upper section defining a compaction area large enough for a refuse transporting vehicle to be accommodated therein, a pressure plate, a pressure cylinder assembly pivotally connected to the frame, a ram assembly connected to the pressure plate and operative on actuation of the pressure cylinder assembly to move the pressure plate axially of the ram assembly so as to compact refuse within a refuse transporting vehicle positioned below the pressure plate, and guide means being secured to the frame and including bearing elements acting upon the ram assembly at a plurality of positions spaced axially thereof.

9. A compaction press according to any one of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.